India-That-Is-Bharath.pdf/6th Class/sst.

6th class Social Science new Ncert
Exploring the world
By Samyans Acadamy

1. India, That Is
Bharath
Explore the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India, the land of
Bharath. Discover the remarkable history, vibrant traditions, and
captivating landscapes that make this country truly unique.
by sandeep swamy

2. Introduction to India's
Past
India, as we know it today, is a modern country with clear borders,
different states, and a large population. However, the land we now call
India was known by different names and had changing boundaries
throughout history.
This region, often called the 'Indian Subcontinent,' has a rich history that
can be learned from various sources, such as ancient texts, stories written
by travelers, and old inscriptions carved in stone.
Changing Over Time
India's identity has evolved significantly over the past 500, 2,000, and even
5,000 years, reflecting its dynamic history.
Historical Sources
By exploring ancient literature, inscriptions, and accounts of visitors, we
can uncover the fascinating journey of India through time.
Shifting Boundaries
The boundaries and names of the region now known as India have
changed dramatically over the centuries.

3. How Indians
Named India
India has had many names throughout history, each reflecting the
perspectives and influences of different cultures. Let's explore how
Indians themselves have referred to their land over the centuries.

4. The Rig Veda and
'Sapta Sindhava'
Oldest Indian Text
The Rig Veda is India's oldest and most revered sacred text, written
several thousand years ago.
'Sapta Sindhava'
In the Rig Veda, the northwest region of the Indian Subcontinent is
referred to as 'Sapta Sindhava,' meaning the 'land of the seven rivers'.
Etymology of 'Sindhu'
The word 'Sindhava' is derived from 'Sindhu,' a term used for the
Indus River or sometimes for rivers in general.

5. Names in Ancient Literature
Familiar
Regions
The epic Mahabharata
mentions several regions
that are familiar to us
today, such as Käshmira
(Kashmir), Kurukshetra
(Haryana), and Kerala.
Bengal and
Assam
The text also refers to
Vanga (parts of Bengal)
and Prägjyotisha
(roughly today's Assam).
The Kutch
Region
Kaccha in the
Mahabharata
corresponds to the
present-day Kutch region
of Gujarat.
Diverse
Nomenclature
These ancient literary
references demonstrate
the diverse
nomenclature used to
describe different parts
of the Indian
subcontinent over time.

6. Bhäratavarsha and Jambudvipa
Bhäratavarsha
The term 'Bhäratavarsha' first
appears in the Mahabharata epic,
referring to the entire Indian
Subcontinent. It means 'the country
of the Bharatas', a major Vedic
people group.
Jambudvipa
'Jambudvipa' represents the Indian
Subcontinent, literally meaning 'the
island of the jamun tree fruit', a
native species to the region.
Ancient Origins
Scholars believe these terms for the
Subcontinent emerged a few
centuries before the Common Era,
reflecting the long history of names
for the land.

7. Emperor Ashoka and the Name
'Jambudvipa'
1
Ashoka's
Inscriptions
Emperor Ashoka, who ruled
around 250 BCE, left many
inscriptions that provide clues
about the use of the term
'Jambudvipa'.
2
Describing India's
Expanse
In one of his inscriptions,
Ashoka used the term
'Jambudvipa' to describe the
whole of India, including areas
that are now Bangladesh,
Pakistan, and parts of
Afghanistan.
3
A Unified
Subcontinent
During Ashoka's reign, the
Indian subcontinent was
largely unified under his rule,
which allowed him to use the
encompassing term
'Jambudvipa'.

8. 'Bhārata' Becomes the Name for
the Subcontinent
The Vishnu Purana
In this ancient text, the name
'Bhārata' is used to describe the
Indian subcontinent, showcasing its
deep historical roots.
Widespread Usage
The name 'Bhārata' became widely
used to refer to the entire
subcontinent, from North to South
India, as evidenced in various
literature and historical records.
Regional Variations
While the name is written as 'Bharat'
in North India, in South India it is
often rendered as 'Bharatam',
reflecting the diverse linguistic and
cultural traditions of the
subcontinent.

9. Ancient Tamil Literature and the
Idea of India
Interestingly, different parts of ancient India shared a
similar understanding of the country's geography. For
example, a poem from ancient Tamil literature, about
2,000 years old, praises a king whose fame spread
"from [Cape] Kumari in the south, from the great
mountain in the north, from the oceans on the east and
on the west..." This shows that ancient Indians had a
clear idea of the land that made up India.

10. The Indian
Constitution: 'India,
that is Bharat'
The Indian Constitution, originally written in English, uses the phrase
"India, that is Bharat" to describe the nation. Similarly, the Hindi version
states "Bhärat arthäth India." This demonstrates the dual identity of
the country, acknowledging it as both 'India' and 'Bharat'.
The term 'Jambudvipa' refers to the land of the Bharatas, the country
of the ancient Indian civilization. This highlights the historic and cultural
roots of the name 'Bharat' for the Indian subcontinent.

11. How Foreigners
Named India
Throughout history, various foreign cultures referred to the Indian
subcontinent by different names. One of the earliest was the Persian
name 'Hind', which derived from the region around the Indus River.

12. The Persian Name
'Hind'
Persians Name the Region
The ancient Persians were the first foreigners to mention the region
around the Indus River, referring to it as 'Hind,' 'Hidu,' or 'Hindu'.
Geographical, Not Religious
In ancient Persian, 'Hindu' was a geographical term and had no
connection to the Hindu religion.
Persian Military Expansion
In the 6th century BCE, a Persian emperor led a military campaign
and gained control over the region earlier known as 'Sindhu'.

13. The Greek Name
'Indoi' or 'Indike'
Ancient References
Based on Persian sources, the ancient Greeks referred to the Indian
subcontinent as 'Indoi' or 'Indike'.
Language Evolution
The Greeks altered the name by dropping the initial 'h' from 'Hindu' as the
letter 'h' did not exist in their language.
Geographic Scope
The Greek terms 'Indoi' and 'Indike' encompassed the entire Indian
subcontinent, reflecting their understanding of the region.

14. The Chinese and the Name 'Yintu'
or 'Yindu'
Ancient Chinese Name
The ancient Chinese referred to the Indian region as
'Yintu' or 'Yindu,' derived from the Sanskrit word
'Sindhu.'
'Tianzhu' - Heavenly Master
Another Chinese term, 'Tianzhu,' also came from
'Sindhu,' reflecting the Chinese respect for India as the
land of the Buddha.

15. India's Ancient
Names
1
Jambudvipa and Bhärata
The ancient people of India referred to their land as 'Jambudvipa'
and 'Bhärata,' with the latter becoming the widely used name over
time.
2
Sindhu and Indus
Foreign visitors and invaders often based their names for India on
the Sindhu or Indus River, leading to names like 'Hindu,' 'Indoi,' and
eventually 'India.'
3
Rich History and Diversity
India is an ancient land with a vast and diverse history, and its
many names reflect the various cultural influences and
perspectives that have shaped the subcontinent over the centuries.